It seems like there are many Hawaii experts out there so maybe you could help me with some info. My husband and I love to travel and try to include a tropical trip in our plans at least every other year.
So far, Fiji has been the standout trip, but we have also enjoyed some fantastic Carribbean trips. Several times we have thought of going to Hawaii, but have always abandoned the idea when unable to locate the type of accommodations that we prefer. I would like to know if any of you know about any smaller, elegant types of lodging? Whenever possible, we like to stay at a property that has individual bungalows, cottages, etc. All my research has ever uncovered are very large hotels or condos. Both of which leave us cold, regardless of how fancy the trappings. We are interested in good restaurants (that we could drive to), but beyond that our main concerns would be the natural environment, water sports and exploring the island(s). Any ideas?

On Kauai, Gloria's Spouting Horn B&B is gorgeous. It does not have individual cottages but 3 oceanfront rooms. In Poipu near lots of good restaurants.

http://www.gloriasbedandbreakfast.com/

I am sure there are lots of others.

I wanted to rent The Coastline Cottages on Kauai http://www.coastlinecottages.com/ for our recent visit but they were not available. Instead we stayed at a quiet, small but lovely condo complex nearby.

On the Big Island we stayed at the Inn at Holualoa. It is wonderful. Set in the hills above Kona on a coffee plantation it was very elegant--beautiful pool and rooms. The breakfasts were very nice and we met interesting people staying there. A very different experience from a large hotel on a crowded beach.

Jane, I feel the same way. Here are a few of the cottages I found in my searches for our accomodations:
On Maui:
http://www.eliteprop.com/property/maui/Wailea/kuuipo/index.html
http://www.mauivacationcottages.com/star_cottage.html
http://www.maui.net/~paliuli/A'apali.html
http://www.hanahale.com/villa.html
On Kauai:
http://secretbeachkauai.com/bungalow.htm
I have lots more. If you like you can e-mail me directly and let me know what your preferences are. Aloha!

Thanks for the great ideas. Maggi,
I will e-mail you to get your list. It sounds like we have similar goals. I know that my husband and I would enjoy the islands if we can just find a more intimate place to stay. Thanks again!

We stayed at the Inn at Kulaniapia in the Hilo area of the Big Island three years ago and it was fabulous; waterfalls right on the property. A very nice quiet B&B. They have a website waterfall.net.

On the Big Island, my wife and I stayed at the Inn at Volcano (http://www.volcano-hawaii.com/gold-web-vol-hi/boutique-inns/gold-the-inn-at-volcano-hawaii.htm).
Wonderful, intimate place and extremely convenient to Volcano National Park. Definitely the most elegant and nicest place we stayed during our two weeks in Hawaii last October.

Not sure if this is elegant enough, but if their cottages are as great as their food, then they should be fabulous!

http://www.mamasfishhouse.com/cottages.html#bedroom400